White Blue-eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium albidum

White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum) Family: Iris Family (Iridaceae)

Group: Blue-eyed Grasses

Distinctive features: Just like other Blue-eyed Grasses, but flower is white.

Similar species:
  •   Common Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum) - has blue flowers.
  •   Slender Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum) - has blue flowers.
  •   Stout Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) - bractsare different.

Flowers: Summer;  White;  6 parts (petals);  Summer. White with yellow center. Petals have distinctly pointed tips. Six parts. 1/2 - 3/4" wide.

Leaves: Like grass.

Height: 15-40 cm (6-16 in)

Stem: Flat, distinctly winged, 1/8" wide. Unbranched and without a leafy bract in the middle. Pointed stem continues above flower cluster.

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas;  Fields and meadows, bogs, forest edges.

Lifespan: Perennial.  

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 332   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Uncommon.

Notes: Looks exactly like Common Blue-eyed Grass except the flowers are white.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: albidum: white

For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers

Photographs: 22 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum)

 The specimens featured in the photos on this page were found in two separate locations on the Bruce Peninsula. The first three photos are of one specimen.

White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum)

 Unfortunately, when I found these specimens I did not know or note the key determining feature of White Blue-eyed Grass: two spathes (leafy bracts) where the flower stalks emerge. Close examination of the photos I did take seem to indicate the two spathes, but this is not clear. So there is a possibility that these are not photos of White Blue-eyed Grass after all.

White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum)

White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum)

 This and the next photo are of a different specimen, in a different location.

White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum)

Range map for White Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)

 

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